Abstract Manager

The ties between Maine and Canada can be felt across the region whether it be the roughly 9,400 workers in Maine employed by Canadian companies or the the Madawaska-Edmunston International Bridge over the St. John River near Twin Rivers Paper Company. Maine and Canada are linked both economically but also through the impacts of climate change. In December 2020 Maine released a comprehensive climate action plan to help mitigate climate change risks. One of the four key goals identified in the plan was the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Maine is the most rural state in the United States with 61% of the state's population living in rural areas, and is also the oldest state with a median age of 45. The rural nature of Maine combined with its aging population heavily contributes to the 54% of GHG emissions that come from the transportation sector. This presentation will discuss how Maine is implementing strategies to help meet its transportation climate goals using transportation technology, TDM programing, and collaboration between age friendly groups and the state's mobility and commuter options program GO MAINE. We will also address how rural communities are playing a key role in addressing climate change.